Chapter 34 - Death
Apollo
Nesrin and I moved a little further outside of the camp so she could tell me everything.
Seeing her so broken and scared had torn a hole in my chest. It enraged me that I hadn't pushed the matter sooner.
I wanted to give her space let her come to me when she was ready. But when she stormed out of the campsite without a word. I had to follow her. I had to get her to open up to me.
I wasn't sure what I would say once I reached her. But when I found her kneeling on the forest floor, her body shaking as she cursed the world, I needed to stop her suffering. I needed her to let me in.
I knew it was s
Chapter 35 - SummonedNesrin One second we were all together. The next, a thick fog rolled in, and it was as if we had been ripped into an alternate reality.Everything was way too quiet. My scars seemed to ache more than usual, and I could help but feel like we were being watched."Stay close," Lir muttered under his breath.I took a step closer to the Commander. The fog wrapped around us, cutting us off from the others. I gripped my bow and notched an arrow in preparation for whatever creature had decided to cross our path today."Apollo," I shouted through the thicket of the fog. But silence only answered in return
Chapter 36 - Broken PromisesApolloI recognized her voice, the angelic tone that was so serene it should only exist in dreams. But I didn't recognize her face. Nothing about the witch before me was familiar in the sense of looks. She was as much of a stranger to me as anyone else in this place."And you know me how?" I quizzed my voice flat. She let out an airy laugh before standing up from her throne and walking towards me."Ahhh, yes, I suppose I was a little different when we met all those years ago. Maybe this will jog your memory," The witch waved her hand and the clay and gold dust that had decorated her otherwise naked body vanished and was replaced with olive skin and black markings. The marking lined her arms, making their way up past her shoulders.
Chapter 37 - HomeNesrin I screamed until my throat was raw until my voice broke entirely. Watching Apollo collapse to the ground and begin convulsing was the most horrific thing I had ever witnessed. But the moment that broke my heart into pieces was when he stopped moving. His body, becoming unnaturally still, his skin paling, and the presence of his magic slowly started fading away."Stop it. Stop it, please, "I begged, the magic that held onto me let up enough for me to watch the horror unfold."I'm begging you to stop. Let him go. I'll stay. I'll do whatever you want. Just stop," I cried out. One of the witches grabbed me, their hands squeezing my arm enough to make it hurt. "No use begging, mutt," Their voice was masculine, and when I looked over at the head witch, she was laughing. "Apollo," I screamed out again as I was dragged up to the dais. The male grabbed a fist full of my h
Chapter 38 -Nesrin The soft sheets against my skin were the first thing I noticed as I slowly woke. I could already tell my body was feeling lighter than it had felt in the last month. The familiar smell of lilacs and lavender filled the air, and the humming of the magic that surrounded me made the anxiety and fear melt away. I was home. I was safe.I wanted to believe that everything that had happened was just a horrible nightmare. That Ahmes and Apollo were fine. I wanted to pretend that I never made a deal that would wreak havoc on the world. I wanted to believe that when I opened my eyes and allowed myself to wake up fully that everything would be as it once was. But I knew it never would be again. Something about me now felt empty, hollow. Ahmes's presence was a mere whisper in my mind. I couldn't even sense her stirring like she usually did when I woke for the day. My body also didn't absorb the magic a
Chapter 39 - Awakened ApolloI never understood why people believed that death was peaceful. That once you were gone, your soul was at peace. How could they know? Why were they always so quick to think that you didn't suffer once you ascended into the afterlife?I had always been a skeptic, especially after watching Ilaria die in my arms. The screams of her pain were still so clear, as if she was still screaming as if I was still living in that moment. How could anyone find peace after enduring so much pain? How could the mothers allow us such luxuries after what we had done?I wondered if that was all Nesrin would remember of me, if she could even remember me after whatever that witch had promised to do to her. I wished I could have killed them. I owed Nesrin that much after everything she had sacrificed for me. Gods, I failed her. I swore to protect her, and I wasn't strong enough to stay true to my word. But what was
Chapter 40 - GuiltyApolloI stilled at the sound of Knox; he sounded different. His presence was heavier than I remembered, stronger. I pulled away from Nesrin, looking down at her in shock. "What's wrong," Nesrin asked, slightly tilting her head as she looked up at me. Her long wavy onyx hair fell over her shoulder. The blue in her sapphire eyes was somewhat duller than before, maybe from exhaustion. She was stunning.The scar wasn't as red and angry anymore, but it still looked sore. The fact that she was here in front of me was a miracle. It showed just how strong and resilient she was. The scar only added go her beauty; she was a fighter, and she was all mine. I didn't know what I did to deserve someone so kindhearted as her, but I thanked the mothers for such a gift."You did it," I said in disbelief. The corner of her lip pulled up. "How?" Her smile faltered slightly, a hint of sadness in her eyes
Chapter 41 - WildroseNesrinMy body felt completely energized after last night, but I knew it wouldn't last. The sparks of our bond made me feel whole, even though I knew I wasn't. The further I got from Apollo, the more apparent it became, but I had a duty to fulfill today, and I wouldn't falter until I had seen it through. Apollo's touch still lingered on my skin. Every movement, every tender kiss engraved into my mind. The way Apollo had worshipped my body had sent sparks throughout my body. The smell of strawberries and crisp winter clung to me, mixing with the scent of roses and ginger. It was my new favourite smell, the smell of our unity, our love. But as the sun rose to greet the night sky, farewell. I had reluctantly left our world of false peace too. I didn't tell Apollo of my plans. I hadn't even told him of my last encounter with Dela either. But I would after I confronted the council and our people.
Chapter 43 - Cold HeartedNesrinThe silence was the only thing that greeted us as we made our way out of the throne room towards my father's office. Apollo and I followed my parents and brother. Behind us walked my grandfather, and a few guards followed us. No one spoke as we entered his study, the weight of the room suddenly feeling too heavy. Making my stomach turn and my nerves uneasy. The importance of the untold truths that would never leave my lips made me feel worse than a traitor. Apollo pulled me into his side as we sat on the leather sofa in my father's office. My mother, father, grandfather and Damon were staring at us, waiting for us to explain what happened now that we were in private. I felt like I couldn't breathe, my heart racing in my chest. The mixture of their emotions was suffocating. "I'll be the first to say it. You are fucking stupid if you think we buy any of the bullshit you spewed in the